Leaderboard

Stephen, since I was the only poster making reference to being safe, I'll assume your comment or question is directed at me. So out of respect I will reply. However, if you are attempting to bait me into a thread hijack about my views on personal freedoms, government interventions, etc. during a global pandemic, I refuse.

An H150GT, P90s, a modified champ and a 20’ cable are you need to get raunchy. 5 watts rules!

Jim and Alicia were passing through town so they stopped for a visit at the Jam House. After a meal of ribs and German tater salad we jammed for a little while. Not often do you see two 535s in the same joint.

+ 1 on reaching out to the Heritage Custom Shop: info@petefarmerguitarworks.com Here's a full hollow Prospect that I had built back in 2014. It's an unbelievably well built and versatile guitar!

"Be safe" is now political? Well, holy shit. How about, "Take care"? Or "Be well"? No more of that partisan propaganda. Better safe than sorry. Dang. That was probably over the line too. I'm amazed at what can upset some people. Good night and good luck. Oops. I think I did it again.

Hello, I just posted a quick loop-video on YouTube of my duo Gramm Art Project (https://grammartprpject.com) looping Johns Scofields "A Go Go" (using a Heritage Prospect Std). Everything is live, just a qick and dirty recording, but I like it (and I hope you enjoy it, too!!! Sure, comments and likes are very much appreciated ;)). HERE IS THE VIDEO: A Go Go (Loop-Cover by Gramm Art Project)

I had hoped Sergio Mendez would pick up the tune and do it right. Life presents difficult choices, and in that mode I present the original studio version of the tune, absent my dazzling visual presence but with a living, breathing percussionist, recorded a life time ago it seems.

I was getting some buzz/rattle from the original H tailpiece, so I replaced it with a Benedetto style ebony tailpiece I have had sitting around for a while (purchased on this forum from MartyGrass several years ago) and also installed ebony tone/volume knobs. Tailpiece and knobs now match the ebony fretboard.

I have one but alas, no seths!

Hi guys. this week i got my brand new H-535 in Trans Cherry, couldn't be happier!! I also gut a G&L USA Special, but i I couldn't take the H-535 off my hands! The thing is my amp (Mesa Express Plus 5:25) got broken yesterday (i think i need to replace the valves) and yet i feel that the H-535 got a magic even without amp! I can say, above all doubt, that i can really hear the uniqueness of the woods played on it, not just the strings... regularly when i play guitar without an amp, even all the es-335 i heard, none of them got the magic of the H-535 - such a masterpiece! There is one thing, barley bother me , but still, is the f holes need a little touch-up- the color is not consistent there... but i barley see it, this guitar is so beautiful! I am considering replace my Vintage 30 Speaker to something else. i want a good speaker that will goes well with the H-535. I heard that the Creamback 65 can do it very well- what do you guys think?

Hi all, I have been a member since June and finally getting around to introducing myself. I have been a guitar player for 40+ years. And mainly Strats. I have done my best to love humbuckers without success until this last spring. I took a road trip to Kalamazoo to look at 535's. Ended up buying a 150! It's a beauty. One piece top and perfect neck for me. So I end up playing a whole bunch of guitars and Mike and Pete bring this one out. I am playing it and in walk Marv and Bill. We end up meeting and talking with them for a while. Getting a picture with them and the guitar. What great guys! I am talking with Mike and Pete about ordering a 535 in the future and my wife goes well, I don't think you should leave without that 150 after the picture and mojo it now has! So how could I not? Anyway, it is a fantastic instrument. And what a great experience at Parson Street. Ended up with a private factory tour, meeting Marv, Bill, Ren, Jim, Pete, Mike...I feel very lucky and blessed for that day. And the 150 has knocked my strats off the front line, it's all I play and gig with. I have never been one to name my guitars but this one is Mabil. After that day. Rock on! Nick D.

Once the drooling starts it's only a matter of time.

I don't know if this qualifies as an anniversary model, it's more of a commemorative model ... but, as the certificate says.... "This instrument, #P00804, is the only copy of this design ever built, and it is the very last instrument built at 225 Parsons Street in the 20th century. " " The Heritage Eagle Centurion is a fitting tribute to the history and influence that this location represents, and a marvelous example of the Heritage commitment to quality."

Finally...i did it! I found my 2nd H-160v! As you can see is quite different from the one I already had (on the left): the body is clear while the other is almost cream, and even the fretboard is darker. The other one has a hb SD Jeff Beck, this one is totally original! I just wanted to show you my new toy... 😁

For 2000 Heritage did a very limited run celebrating the new millennium with the "Millennium Eagle". Here's mine...

In my opinion the 10th, 20th and 30th anniversary models are the best and stand out with their special inlays and appointments.

Hey all! I haven't posted in awhile, and figured it was high-time that I do some more shameless self-whoring. My band released its debut record in June of 2018; I had teased a few songs on here, as I recall. In any case, my Custom H555, which is STILL in my possession, was used for about 75% of the guitar tracks on our full-length album: www.ghostbound.bandcamp.com I am currently offering our album FOR FREE/pay-what-you-will scale. I played the H555 for all of the songs in standard E tuning for all distorted and clean tones aside from perhaps two rhythm tracks and one overdub. I played through an Orange Rockerverb MKII for all distortion and an ancient VHT Deliverance for all the clean tones. At the time, it was equipped with a Duncan Custom Custom in the bridge and a '59 in the neck, but I have had a set of Bare Knuckle Mules in there for ages, now, and I lovelovelove them. 11-49 strings in standard tuning. We are almost done with a follow-up EP, where I used the Heritage exclusively for all the songs. Thanks for indulging me! Regards, Alec

Very cool!

Welcome to the HOC. Have you considered relocating the toggle switch to where one of your Vol/Tone knobs is. Then have a Volume knob installed where your toggle switch currently is. That way you don't damage your top and the mod is reversible in the unlikely event you decide to sell the 158.

In mid 1998 I ordered a black 150 from Heritage. My local dealer was told they had just the model I was looking for. He said they told him that Roy Clark had ordered a black H-150 and they made two. I got the one he didn't pick. I never thought much about it until one Saturday night when a buddy called me and told me to look at the TV show Hee Hah. Sure enough Roy was playing the same guitar. Marv told me later that Roy knocked that guitar off of a dresser in a hotel and cracked the head stock. Word on the street is that Roy was picking up a guitar from 225 Parsons and called an employee's wife and sang her a song for her birthday over the phone. I wonder which guitar he was playing for the first time that day.

This is like encouraging someone to do heroin and once hooked telling them that there is a lot of solid support for them to continue their heroin use. This is how I started out here....I bought a used Heritage and had a question. Then they urged me to stick around and now I have ten Heritage guitars. Beware.

Well, it would have to be a Nashville TOM or an ABR conversion that sits on Nashville spaced posts. I think more people complain about the schaller tailpiece than the bridge. Personally, I wouldn't change the Schaller bridge on this guitar. If you play fingerstyle the Schaller bridge is great because you can adjust the string spacing very easy. As far as the pickups, many jazzers really like schaller pickups because they are darker sounding which is perfect for jazz. My advice.... play it for a couple months and then maybe consider a pickup swap based on what tone you are after (again, it maybe perfect as is) and search for pickups that make a tonal difference if needed, don't just switch to another brand just to switch.

Very nice. I think you'll enjoy that one for a long time. One comment, I wouldn't use the stand that you have in the pictures for very long. The tubing on those is PVC which is not good for a nitrocellulose finish. At the very least, I would put some cotton over the tubing, until you can get a stand with a nitro safe foam. The Hercules stands are good, and the On Stage stands with the black Velveteen foam are safe.

Hello Everyone! My name is Andrew and I go by the user name Dogrel (writer of bad poetry, singer of bad songs, lover of the eccentric and weird, certified smartass). I live in Savannah, I have been playing for 24 years now, and am finally able to afford the guitars I’ve always wanted. I now have two Heritages, a 1987 HFT-445 acoustic and a 1988 H140-CM that was my birthday present this year. I love them both, and they are easily the best guitars I’ve ever owned. My HFT-445 is my “incredible score” story. I found it in a pawn shop of all places, just a mile from my house when I lived in Tallahassee. $140 later (yes, really), it was mine. It had done some time in a bluegrass band before it came to me, and some braces had come loose at the ends. A quick trip to the repair guy later for a reglue and setup, and it sounds like a million bucks. Actually while waiting for it to come back and searching for more info on it, I found the (different) forum posting from the guy wanting to know more about “this oddball Heritage that just came across my workbench”. He was taken by how incredible it sounded and just had to find out more. The H-140 is the new kid on the block, but already it has been a revelation. I’ve owned a similar guitar made by some Nashville-based company, and it just can’t compare. The original Schallers sound incredible and the neck is so comfortable, I finally see what all the fuss is about.

Nice! As for a young-un's road trip energy, I dunno about that, he'll learn. I can recall one night hanging out late night around 2am back in Chicago my friend says "Hey, my boy Matt's sister has some cute friends and said we should come out some time." "Yeah? Where's he at?" "San Diego" "I'm down" about a day + and 30 red bulls later we were having a good good time. Also probably part of the reason my heart does that little oohmph thing these days!

Family road trips are a great way to get away, but still be safe. Is the factory still shut down?

In my opinion the 535 is the finest guitar Heritage has ever made. Goldyrocks belongs to one of my best friends, the Amberburst rest in an undisclosed location and Lady Bird was traded to Mike Novello. Let the tone fill up the inside and feel the air blow out onto your arms.

I spot ya, Skinslammer...

The Seths sound very authentic in my Heritage.

Yeah, next time I’ll try to get a guitar video, for now though here is a still shot of the front of the 150 GT.

Here is another interview with the legendary Ren Wall by Kalamazoo Lively Arts. He shows some photos and tells us of some of his experiences, including some with Rem Wall , his father.

Hey everyone! Thought you would all enjoy reading my recent interview with the great Rendal Wall that was just published. If you play guitar or even just enjoy music in any way, you owe a huge debt to this great man. For quite some time I have wanted to document Rendal's experiences and his amazing life, so it was a definite honor for me to sit down with him for this great interview recently. Thanks for all of your knowledge Rendal and everything you have done for the guitar. You truly are a living inspiration my friend. - Todd Beebe, Chicago, IL https://bg.buddyguy.com/rendal-wall-guitar-wizard/

With the addition of the 2x12 ext. cab, Superfly now owns one of the most outrageous Patriots of all time!!

Hello, Mike here. Posting as MikesGtr. Long time (multiple decades) Telecaster/Stratocaster player. Never owned a Gibson or Gibson style guitar, but always wanted an es335. Never found one I bonded with and now I know why. I was actually waiting for a Heritage H535 to find me and the guitar helped me find this site. Anyway I play in a 80/90's cover band in Massachusetts and having way too much fun playing guitar these days. From what I have read so far, it seems like there are some passionate Heritage owners and I am looking forward to reading the content on this forum and hopefully adding to the discussions when I can. Cheers. Below is my new baby.

hi My name is Martin, but I'm known as Keith Spangle on the internet, and I'm a very lucky person. You may have seen a review of a the H-150 & H-137 on guitar.com. You can find it here - https://guitar.com/review/electric-guitar/review-heritage-h-137-h-150/ . The magazine then gave away the H-150 from this review as the prize in a promotional competition in the UK, and I had the good fortune to win it. My other guitars are Les Paul Goldtop classic 2018, Fender telecaster and a 1980s Westone prestige 250 (kudos if you've played on of those). I used to play them all a lot more before the Heritage showed up I'm looking forward to finding out a lot more about the Heritage guitar company, the H-150 and the family of owners Cheers

Hello all !! I'm Patrick (aka Dex) LOL. Been an admirer of Heritage guitars for many years. Finally purchased my 1st one today !! It's a 1989 H-535, and I am thrilled !! Here's a couple pics from the guy I bought it from. I'll get around to making my own and posting soon. Anyway, glad to be aboard and looking forward to comparing notes and such with y'all. Later

Hello all! I'm new here and don't generally participate in forums so I hope I'm posting in the right place. I've been a fan of Heritage since 1986 when I learned about the company. In 1985 I was 25 years old, playing actively in the local/regional scene. and I started a guitar shop in Texas. At first I dealt mostly in used and vintage but also some lower end imports brands. Dealing in vintage instruments enabled me to set up at the shows around Texas. By 1989 I was aware of Heritage but hadn't yet become a dealer. While exhibiting at the Dallas show that year, a guy stopped at my booth because he noticed my dobro brand resonator and was at the show looking for one. He was toting a Heritage H-535 for trade. We struck a deal and even though I've sold countless rare vintage pieces thru the years, I held on to this guitar. It's special not only because it's such a fine instrument. It's also the documented first ever production model 535. I'll post a scan of the letter signed by Bill Paige reflecting this. Also, the dealer this was shipped to had a shop in Waco, TX. This shop was a huge dealer for Heritage at that time and honestly, seeing them at a previous show was how I became aware of them. We spoke regularly at the shows. One of those times, I mentioned that I had a first production model Heritage. He looked at me and said "you have a blonde H-535". Shocked, I asked him how he knew that and he replied "it's the only first production model I've ever let go". For years after that when I saw him at a show he would ask "are you taking good care of my guitar?". I expected to see references to him on this site but a search of his name brought nothing up. I figure a lot of members here know who I'm speaking of. Best I recall I became a dealer for Heritage by late 1989...maybe early 90. Not only did my shop sell quite a few, I ordered some amazing models for my own collection. Sadly a divorce necessitated a mass liquidation of my personal guitars. I'm talking about a Johnny Smith The Rose circa 1990 and many others. With the exception of a 550 that I custom ordered for myself (with upgraded figuring) I have no idea where any of those are today but still miss them. I do plan to approach the guy who has my old 550 and try to get it back. I closed my shop in 2015 and am now semi retired. The last 10 years of operation really sapped the "guitar player" in me. I got to the point I didn't play much outside of store demos. Finally last year I began to play more...and more. Anyway, the reason I found this forum is that I'm now working on a music project with a writer in upstate New York. The current song calls for a semi hollow tone. So for the first time since around 1996, I restrung the 535 and recorded with it a couple days back. Going to try to get the final track tonight. This guitar rings like a bell and is as much of a joy to play today as when I first brought it home around 30 years ago. This guitar is not for sale and will never be. I have a grown daughter who plays and has some nice pieces in her collection. That's where this will go one day. I'm truly humbled to be the guy who owns this guitar. I hope my new friends here enjoy the story!

Hello from Texas. After spending the weekend at the Guitarlington show helping my buddy, who happens to be a Heritage dealer, and next door to the Heritage booth...well, it happened. I now own a new 535 "Old Style Sunburst." I'm 62, and have had over 120 guitars. (That includes the ones I bought just to flip, back in the day) I've got to say, this is the most excited I've been about a guitar in quite some time. I just can't stop playing it. It's a lot of fun.

If I'm not wrong h-160v and Stat are different models, both have a "strato" shape but they are different. From my research it seems that only 20 h-160v were made... so I had 10% of the world production of this model 😅

Authentic

Cheers. Richie's Zellon uses .12s but I think I'll follow the recommendations here and go for .11s. I know it's "all in the fingers" but I quite like the extra slight heft going up slightly from a ten. Thanks again guys. Good to talk to like minded folk when I'm self isolating ?

I'm no expert, but I've used this technique 4 or 5 times now in various guitars, and it works well enough that I have no reservations about removing pickups from a semi-hollow or fully-hollow guitar. I made this video after purchasing a Gibbons ES-390 that hummed more than any guitar I've ever owned, and I've owned and built a few P90 guitars, so it's not like it was my first rodeo with those pickups. Thought I would pass it along to you guys. YMMV. Happy to answer any questions. How I replace pickups/harness in a semi-hollow guitar: https://youtu.be/yJgBYFvP9fk Original Gibbons ES-390 wiring harness: https://youtu.be/95S_XZt-n_w

Well this is a great thing to sink my head into instead of that other thing. I say GO HERITAGE GO! I hoped that the new Gibson would be different but they seem to be going harder into being who they are than ever. I was pissed when they targeted Kestrel Guitars over the “V.” I applaud Heritage for meeting them in the alley with a baseball bat. I will probably never buy any Gibson other than a Vintage one but really I cannot afford them either so that is out. This also makes me want to focus on a new Heritage even more as the guitar to but if I’m in the market. The new Heritage owners have big money behind them. I hope they do not care about the economics of the lawsuit and go for it to win regardless of cost.

Hello all Recently acquired a H 535 from Wolfe Guitars and should be picking it up at Fed Ex tomorrow. It should be the final piece of my collection puzzle which I chose because I was looking for a ES 335 type that was 1. Not quite as expensive as the available ES 335s. 2. American Made 3. Best quality for the money. I believe the H535 is my answer. Just joined and if you want to check out my profile for more info, have at it. I only for my own enjoyment and even though I'm not very proficient, I now have acquired all the equipment that will keep me busy in my retirement years that will come in about 10 more years. Hope to spend some time checking out the forum and seeing what's new. Cheers.

Hi - I'm Jason and I'm new to the forum as of today. I just scored my first Heritage - a 1991 (according to the seller) Eagle in Antique Sunburst. I haven't had much experience with Heritage; I only know their history (or heritage, ha!) and I've been looking for a big bodied archtop for a while. I'm really a bass player by trade, but I've made Jazz chord/rhythm/comping my passion and I practice that as much as I can when I'm not gigging. I've owned a few Jazz boxes - a Japanese D'Aquisto reissue, a Korean D'Angelico reissue - but I've always craved a quality American-made 17" archtop. I recently sold a 335 to fund my purchase and, although, the guitar is still on its way to me, I have a feeling this is going to be the one (I hope!). Considering the vintage/used prices of L5s and L7s, plus the current new offerings from other overseas manufacturers, I figured that picking up this Eagle was a no-brainer since it fit all of my criteria. If anyone has any info on these single pick-up Eagles, and I'm sure there's lots of it on this forum for which I'll be doing some research in the coming days, please chime in. I was doing as much research as I could prior to purchase but I'd love to hear anyone's take on these guitars. Thanks!

He bought it off ebay...amazing.